Seatbelts save lives, but drivers and passengers frequently ignore the devices. However, the people who respond to traffic accident scenes know how important the straps are and law enforcement officers across Utah will participate in the Buckled or Busted Labor Day seatbelt campaign. Sponsored by the Utah Department of Public Safety and Hold on to Dear Life, the enforcement effort will continue through Sept. 2. The campaign was launched in May 2000.
A recent statewide survey shows Utah seat belt usage at an all time high. Results indicate that 80.1 percent of Utah drivers and front-seat passengers use safety belts, a 2.3 percent increase from 2001. The increase can result in five lives saved, 123 injuries prevented and an annual state savings of $74 million in health care costs.
‘We are pleased to see that people in Utah are recognizing the value of buckling up,’ noted Robert Flowers, department of public safety commissioner. ‘Our goal is to continue to increase the number of individuals using seat belts and in turn see a decrease in the number of deaths and serious injuries on Utah’s roadways.’
Utah’s seat belt law requires all passengers and drivers to buckle the safety devices when traveling in a motor vehicle.
Statewide seatbelt law enforcement campaign continuing through Labor Day
